Plane (Image from Tobermory municipal website)
West Grey is approving a statement from the mayor on where it stands with the future of the Saugeen Municipal Airport.
Council approved a correspondence from Kevin Eccles during a meeting on April 2, which says the municipality is open to exploring all possibilities on how to move forward with the airport.
This is the latest after council approved setting a meeting date with its partner municipalities, Brockton and Hanover, to discuss the future of the facility.
The statement highlights the economic advantages of the airport to residents and businesses, while pointing out how privatizing it could open new possibilities for growth and innovation.
“Under private ownership, the airport could potentially attract more commercial flights, resulting in higher revenue and job opportunities in the area. This change could also attract new investments to enhance airport infrastructure and services,” says the statement.
Coun. Joyce Nuhn expressed she felt the statement from Eccles was leaning more toward privatizing the airport.
“I thought we were going to attend the meeting and kind of get everybody’s input then. I just feel that is pretty strong in this introduction right now that we, as a group, are looking at more privatization than in keeping it status quo,” says Nuhn.
Eccles says what he was trying to express in his statement was the municipality is open to options.
“The way I had written it to be interpreted was we are just there to hear both sides,” says Eccles. “We haven’t made up our mind. One of the other owners, I think pretty much has made up their mind, they are getting out.”
West Grey will be meeting with Brockton and Hanover on April 17 to discuss the future of the airport.